Pink Stitch
Hand stitching as a way to process, connect, and create, for women living with and beyond breast cancer.
About the ProgrammePink Stitch is a participatory textile arts programme for women living with and beyond breast cancer. Running throughout 2026, it brings together women across the UK for a series of creative sessions guided by specialist textile artist Emily Jo Gibbs.
At the heart of it is English paper piecing, a slow, meditative form of hand stitching that requires no prior experience. For many participants, the act of making something beautiful by hand offers a way to process their cancer journey that words alone can't reach.
In June, July & August we’ll host three online sessions via Zoom. You can join anywhere from in the UK for guided group stitching, connection, and conversation. In October, once we’ve received all the rosettes, we’ll host in-person stitching sessions in London, where we’ll stitch them together into one giant collective quilt.
How it worksPink Stitch is built around slowing down. Here's how it works.
receive your packEverything you need arrives at your door
You’ll receive templates and a step-by-step guide. You choose your own fabric for your rosette, something personal to you.
You stitch in your own timeEnglish paper piecing is slow and meditative
You don’t need prior experience. Stitch at home, at your own pace, with three guided group Zoom sessions through June, July and August for connection and conversation.
be part of something biggerCommunal Quilting
In October 2026, we bring all the rosettes together in London to join them into one giant collective quilt, publicly exhibited as a lasting record of every woman who took part.
Your Pink Stitch Pack-
Your pack arrives in a slim cardboard box designed to fit through your letterbox, no need to be in. Inside you'll find everything you need to get started, plus a prepaid return label to send your finished rosette back to us.
Please keep the box, it reseals, and that's how your artwork travels home to become part of the quilt.
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A printed introduction to the programme, the process, and what happens next.
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Pre-cut hexagonal paper pieces to use as your backing templates, the foundation of your rosette.
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You'll receive a private code to access a dedicated page on our website, where you'll find Emily Jo Gibbs' step-by-step stitching video and a creative writing video to work alongside your making.
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We'd love you to choose your own, something personal, meaningful, or simply beautiful to you. A charity shop is a wonderful place to find something. If you really can't source fabric yourself, please get in touch before we send your box and we can include some for you.
sign upDates for 2026 are being confirmed. Register your interest below and we'll be in touch as soon as sessions open, including details of how to request your box.
Pink stitch galleryMeet the Team
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None of this would have been possible without the support of our textile artist, Emily Jo Gibbs.
Emily Jo Gibbs is a British artist whose practice is rooted in making.
She specialises in hand-stitched appliqué, layering and meticulously stab-stitching silk organza onto linen. Championing the value of making, she is drawn to the idea that by taking the time to slowly describe someone in stitch, you convey your admiration.
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Lilly is our project manager for the year and will be running creative writing.
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Hannah is our CEO and will be working on the project as a Producer
Make a Donation
Every rosette in the quilt represents a woman who needed space to process, connect, and create. Your donation helps us make sure that space exists, and stays free.